BRIAN J. LOWNEY: Pet Fest a celebration of joy animals bring

Pet lovers from across SouthCoast will gather at Buttonwood Park on May 18 to celebrate the special bond between pets and their owners, and the unconditional love that our animals offer every day.

Pet lovers from across SouthCoast will gather at Buttonwood Park on May 18 to celebrate the special bond between pets and their owners, and the unconditional love that our animals offer every day.

The 15th annual Pet Fest and Walk for Animals, sponsored by The Coalition for Animals of Greater New Bedford, not only acknowledges the special role that companion animals play in our lives, but also raises funds to support important initiatives that promote pet health and ownership. The funds also allow local people suffering from economic hardships to keep their pets at home instead of surrendering them to shelters.

The event, which runs from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., features a 2-mile walk around the park at noon.

"People should come because it's a fun time," says Pamela Holmes, vice president of the advocacy group. "Walkers without dogs are also welcome."

Walkers who raise $75 or more will be given complimentary T-shirts. There is a $10 registration fee for the walk and participants under age 14 must be accompanied by adults.

For the first time, the coalition is partnering with Down to Earth Natural Foods, which is sponsoring The Future of Health Expo. The health fair will feature fitness demonstrations, presentations by holistic practitioners and massage therapists, and food and vitamin product demonstrations.

Visitors to the Pet Fest will also enjoy a doggie fashion show presented by The Daily Dog Blog and Go Fetch!, dog training demos, a presentation by the New Bedford Police Departments K-9 unit, an exhibition offered by New England Reptile and Raptor Birds of Prey, and many activities that feature our furry, finned and feathered creatures.

According to Mellissa Raposo, president of the coalition, proceeds from the popular event support programs that are vital to the community. She says many local businesses that recognize the value of pet ownership support their employees who participate in the pet walk by matching the amount of funds raised by the walker.

Holmes says the coalition is an all-volunteer nonprofit that was formed by a group of local animal advocates in 1999. The coalition has about 30 members, including animal welfare groups, shelters and rescue groups, animal control officers and dedicated individuals, and serves the area extending from Seekonk to Wareham, although much of the organization's work is performed in Greater New Bedford.

One of the coalition's newest programs, Pets Besides Vets, aims to place companion animals, ranging from guinea pigs and rabbits to cats and dogs, with veterans who can benefit emotionally by owning a pet.

"We pay the adoption fee to a participating shelter that is a member of the coalition," Holmes says, adding that the veteran must have served in active combat and must have a need for companionship substantiated by a psychiatrist or psychologist. The veteran must pay a $5 registration fee, and also demonstrate the ability to provide food and medical care for the animal.

Another important program offered by the coalition is Seniors for Seniors, which places senior animals with people 55 and older.

"It's about making a perfect match," Holmes says, adding that the program places animals age 5 and older, which are often difficult to match because most families want to adopt a young kitten or puppy. The program began in 2009 and has placed 139 senior animals in new, loving homes.

"We subsidize the adoption fee, " Holmes says, adding that new owners must contribute $25 toward the cost of adopting the pet.

Holmes says she believes that the Seniors for Seniors program is so popular because most older animals are less active and a "better fit" for a person enjoying a similar lifestyle but who needs companionship and the unconditional love that only a pet can offer.

As a result of the poor economy, which Holmes says has forced many elderly pet owners to go without pet food and medication, the coalition has instituted the Pet's Eat, Too, program, which provides pet food to individuals who participate in the Meals on Wheels program.

Holmes says that for many of these elders, pets give a reason to get out of bed every morning.

Collection bins can be found at Mellisa's Pet Depot, 83A Faunce Corner Mall Road, North Dartmouth.

More information about the 15th annual Pet Fest and Walk for Animals is available by visiting coalitionforanimals.com or calling (508) 991-6366.

Swansea resident and dog show judge Brian J. Lowney has been writing about pets for more than 20 years. His column also appears in The Standard-Times and at www.southcoasttoday.com.